Coal-feeding hopper



Aug. 23, 1927. DORNBROOK COAL FEEDING HOPPER Filed Feb. 2. 1924 INVENTOR. FRL'D DORA BROOK ATTO EYd Patented Ann. 23, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

UN'ETED STATES FRED DORNBROOK, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO RILEY STOKE R COR- PORAIION, WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- SETTS.

COAL-FEEDING HOPPER.

Application filed February 2, 1824. Serial No. 690,277.

This invention relates to coal feeding mechanism for a mechanical stoker and particularly to an improved ooal feeding hopper therefor. In certain hoppers heretofore commercially used, the operation has been more or less unsatisfactory, particularly when using Wet coal. Difiiculty has been encountered by the lodginent of the coal on the moderately inclined sloping surfaces between the coal feeding rams and also upon the end of the ram or plunger which commonly. projects slightly rearwardly under the hopper feed opening, even when the ram is in its extreme forward position. Another objection has beenthe accumulation of coal escaping from the'front side of the hopper.

It is the general object of my invention to provide an improved hopper construction which will remedy the defects above noted, giving a more uniform feed of coal and a cleaner operating mechanism.

lVith these general objects in view, I have provided a hopper fitting within the usual feed opening in the ram casing, said hopper having a feed passage with steeply inclined side walls and, having depending front and rear walls closely fittingthe upper side of the cylindrical ram. The front wall is located sufficiently to the rear so that the ram will be entirely covered and protected when in extreme forward position and the opening through the hopper frame will thus be entirely unobstructed. I have also provided a guard plate spaced from the front wall of the hopper and preventing the escape of fuel which might otherwise work out under the edge of the hopper and fall over onto the floor of the furnace room.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings, in which" Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a hopper embodying my improvements;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the hopper frame; and

Fig. 4 is a side elevation thereof.

Referring to the drawings, 1 have shown a portion of a furnace front wall 10, casing 11, and a plunger or ram 12. The ram casing 11 has an upwardly projecting flange 13 forming one Wall of a fuel feed opening 14. The side walls 15 (Fig. 2) of thecasing 11 which enclose the opening 14 are of only a moderate inclination and are covered at their adjacentupper edges by a cross bar or brace 16.

The structure thus far described is of the usual form and in itself forms no part of my present invention which relates particularly to the .provision of a hopper fitting 20 which fits within the flanged opening 13 of the ram casing 11 and is provided with depending front, rear and side walls, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The front wall 21 and rear wall 22 are curved tofit closely o'ver.the upper curved surface of the ram 12. The front wall 21 andthe side walls 23 are/steeply inclined and are, in fact, nearly vertical in position, affording little chance for the lodgment of coal thereon. A flange 24 on the rear end of the hopper fitting 20 is bolted to a cross bar 25 forming part of the regular stoker equlpment.

The hopper itself comprises a rear plate 26 and a front plate 27, together with end walls 28, these four elements forming a receptacle having its narrowed lower opening fitting within the fuel feed opening of the hopper fitting 20. Tie rods 80 are provided between and substantially above each pair of stolrer retorts to hold the plates 26 and 27 firmly in spaced relation.

Separators 31 (Fig. 2) form an important part of my improved construction, each part having the general outline of an inverted V and being positioned by and over one of the cross rods 30. The sides of the separator extend downward and outward, covering the brace 16 and the flat upper surfaces of the hopper frame 20.

A guard plate 32 extends along the front of the hopper, being bolted to the extreme forward ends of the braces 16. The frontplate 27 of the hopper is also secured to the braces 16 by bolts 33.

Having thus described my invention, it will be seen that I have provided a hopper in which the obstructions to the uniform flow of material have been greatly reduced and in which no shoulders or projections are left uncovered to obstruct the flow of material. Furthermore, any fuel or coal escap-- ing at the lower edge of the front plate 27 will be received in the pocket between the plate 27 and the guard plate 32, instead of falling over upon the floor, as has previously happened.

My improved hopper is readily substituted for the previous commercial structure with very little change or labor.

*laving thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, 1 do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed otherwise than as set forth in the claims but what I claim is 1. In a Stoker, a ram casing having an opening in the top thereof, a coal feeding rain slidable in said casing, and hopper fitting secured within said opening and having its depending front and rear walls substantially fitting the curved upper surface of the ram.

2. In a stoker, a plurality of coal-feeding rains, ram casings therefor having part-s intervening between adjacent rams, a hopper comprising an elongated open body with spaced cross rods disposed transversely therein and substantially above the level of said rams and casings, and separators of substantially inverted V shape positioned over said cross rods and extending downward to cover said intervening casing parts;

fitting being steeply inclined and having flat top portions, and a plurality of inverted V- shaped separators extending substantially above said casings and fittings and effective to bridge over and cover the adjacent portions of said casings between each two adjacent ram casings.

l. In a stoker, a ram casing having an opening in the top thereof, a coal feeding ram slidable in said casing, a hopper fitting secured to said casing within said top opening and having portions extending down through said opening to points closely adjacent said am, a hopper mounted closely above said casing and fitting and secured thereto, said hopper having its'front wall spaced rearward from the front edge of said fitting and easing opening, and a guard plate secured in fixed position and spaced forwardly from. said hopper and positioned above the front edge of said fitting to pre vent the escape of coal from said hopper.

5. As an article of manufacture, a hopper fitting for the casing of a'fuel feeding ram said fitting having a substantially flat upper surface and having steeply inclined depending inner side walls and having depending front and rear walls curved to fit closely about the fuel feeding ram associated therewith.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

FRED DORNBROOK. 

